yamaha or merc?

[nz]

gday. my 1975 35hp evinrude finally gave up the ghost on friday. i have been offered 2 motors to replace it with. firstly a 1990 40hp yamaha @$4000<br />and secondly a 1993 mercury 40hp @$4350. both motors have electric start, t&t and come with remotes. both motors look very tidy but i have no way of knowing how many hours they have done. with this limited information, which motor should i buy?

 

[Hooty]

Re: yamaha or merc?

Do a compression test if at all possible.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[nz]

Re: yamaha or merc?

i will do that but i was wondering if there was any history about these motors. i know the yamaha's are supposed to be very reliable but how about the mercs?

 

[orca]

Re: yamaha or merc?

G'Day mate. Is the Merc a 2cyl, 3cyl or 4cyl. The 3 cylinder motor is about 930cc and much bigger in capacity than the Yam. the 4 cyl is a very smooth running outboard and can't be beaten, pity Merc dropped it from the range. the 2 Cyl is also a great motor. Can't comment on the Yamaha. Have never had one.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: yamaha or merc?

Before I went too far, I'd ask if the guy made a mistake on the pricing. The Yamaha books out at average retail for $750 and the Mercury at $935. Even with the acessories, they ain't worth anywhere close to 4 grand.

 

[nz]

Re: yamaha or merc?

sorry about the confusion. i'm in new zealand and our dollar is worth squat compared to yours. i haven't seen the motors yet but yamaha's have a far greater resale value than any other motor over here. they do have a good name but i was wondering if any of you blokes knew of anything to watch out for concerning either of these motors?

 

[BillP]

Re: yamaha or merc?

I don't know about those engines but yamaha was/is making some models of merc. That merc may be a rebadged yamaha anyway. <br /><br />Here's what my local merc dealer (a friend of mine)says...yamahas have the best powerheads but merc has the best corrosion resistance in salt water. Mid 90s yahamas are starting to show cracks (beyond repair) in the lower legs and gear cases from corrosion. Merc are not have those problems. <br /><br />Either way, 3 years age difference is a long time in outboard motor years. Which is easiest to buy parts for where you live?

 

[nz]

Re: yamaha or merc?

now thats the sort of info i'm after!! thanks for that. i am going to check both motors today and will see what happens. the 'rude i had on my boat (16ft alloy) was a short shaft and the new one will be a long shaft. so i have to get the transom re-done. it was cut down to accomodate the short shaft. if its not one thing its another. the boat gets mostly fresh water use but also some salt, dragging scallops. anyway, thanks guys.

 

[RSPorch]

Re: yamaha or merc?

I have a '95 Mercury 50hp with oil injection and it's the best outboard I've owned (I've owned about a dozen of various sizes). I got it in late '96 from an OMC plant that was using it to test its paint in salt (which, by the way, is still fine). Had some minor problems at first from sitting, but have had NONE since '97, and I use it alot (props are another matter, I'm looking at what will be my fourth=). My only experience with Yammies is a 2hp I have as a kicker on a sailboat that is the least reliable motor I've owned.<br />-Randy

 

[seamanship]

Re: yamaha or merc?

I own a Yamaha 4 stroke and find this engine very undependable. I would never buy another Yamaha anything.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: yamaha or merc?

dontworry<br /> what size yam do ya have. it maay be a repainted merc. some were some were not . its a global thing and all. on the gearcase<br /> if the carrier is held on with a large spanner nut they all will break. unless the maint schedule is followed. someplace in the merc book it tells you to remove the carrier periodically. most all yams and mercs will crack a case in saltwater if not removed occasionally for maint. goes baack to pay me now or pay me later. the two cyl merc 40 used the nut as well as the 4 cyl. I belive the 3 cyl had the bigfoot style case. all the yamaha manufactured 40's used a spanner nut.